I’ve more than enjoyed the Rugby Union World Cup so far. Okay. I’ve only seen three whole games – England’s wins against Australia, Tonga and the USA – but they were a lot of fun. And quite a lot of the fun is because I am not as emotionally invested in the outcome as I am with, say, football.
Although my preferred rugby code is League, I am partial to a bit of Union from time to time. I enjoy the odd trip to see Bristol at Ashton Gate and I’ll follow the Six Nations games involving England on the telly. While the current World Cup has not exactly grabbed my full attention, I’ll watch it if a) it’s on and b) if England are playing.
When the national football team play, it matters a lot to me. I get far too excited when they win and far too distressed when they lose. My mood can be affected for days when – and it’s always when – we get knocked out of a tournament before the end. It is not the same when it’s Rugby Union.
I did want us to beat the All Blacks yesterday morning but not enough to stay in our west Wales hotel and watch it. I did check my phone from time to time and when I saw the final score, I admit to a smug smile. Then, I thought no more of it as I enjoyed my weekend away.
Who would I have liked in the final? If I am being honest, probably not Wales simply because of the amount so many of their citizens hate seeing England win at anything. And I can’t stand Warren Gatland, their irritating Kiwi coach. So when I heard from my partner as we were driving up and down the Welsh mountains that Wales had lost to South Africa by a mere three points, my first thought was for Gatland who would end his Welsh coaching career by matching his charges against New Zealand, the country of his birth, in the third and fourth place play off game. How fitting!
As for next week’s final between England and South Africa, I of course want England to win, in a one-sided hammering, preferably. I am certainly not interested in a great game of rugby union. If ‘we’ lose, I’ve got the rest of the day to enjoy; no feelings of devastation and desolation. Better luck next time, eh?
Rugby Union fans probably feel the same way about the national football team in action, or is it inaction? Good for them. Despite the Mail on Sunday having a pop at Jeremy Corbyn when he had a few minutes shut eye on a train when the game was going on (“the rest of the nation was watching” – no, it fucking wasn’t), it really is just a game. One where I want England to win but not so it will ruin my day if they don’t.
